Research Projects

Natural resources, especially soil and water bodies which are near to mining area or industrial area are most polluted with toxic heavy metal since industrial revolution. The persistent heavy metals have very high negative impact on human causing various types of fatal diseases (related to kidney, nerves brain, skin) and also have adverse effects on plant growth and soil microflora and grazing animals. So, it is to utilise green technology for reclamation of heavy metals from contaminated soils. In phytoremediation technology by using poplar and willow are heavily tolerate to cd and also accumulate it (Zacchini et al., 2008). Extensive research is going on phytoremediation by using variety of Brassica spp which are mostly consumable but potent phytoremediator (Brassica juncea, Brassica napus, Brassica oleracea) (Halkier and Gershenzon, 2007). Although there are various research on Brassica plant but there is no report of phytoremediation of non-edible plant. The non-edible plants found in Odisha are Lobularia maritima (Alyssum), Lunaria annua (lunaria), Roripa indica, Cardamine scutate, Nasturtium etc. Therefore, we have selected some species of non-edible or ornamental plant of Brassica family to screen and characterised their molecular mechanism underlying the plant’s adaptation on this heavy metal stress. This non-edible wild Brassica plants might have a different mechanism of heavy metal stress tolerance. The screening of their phytoremediation activity against toxic heavy metals under hydroponic condition following physiological and biochemical studies would reveal their tolerance potential. Few of the non-edible wild Brassica plant species might have high phytoremediation as compared to edible Brassica plants. The gene expression study of sensitive and tolerated plants treated with various concentration of heavy metals would reveal whether any specific gene or a set of genes present in the non-edible wild Brassica plants have role in providing tolerance or sensitive. Further the Proteomic study of sensitive and tolerated plants treated with heavy metals would revalidate the gene expression study and heavy metal tolerance potential. Thus, information can be used to develop strategies for improving plant tolerance to heavy metal pollution and for designing new approaches for remediating soil contamination. If the study revealed that the non-edible Brassica plants have better phytoremediation, tolerance to heavy metal stress, it can be used widely used plants for biofumigation. In addition, this proposed study will focuses on exploiting the functional genes associated with heavy metal stress at early vegetative stage to late vegetative Brassica plants which will provide a platform for manipulation of targeted genes and development of new tolerant cultivars in future.